In Focus: Rangers still face major obstacle to sign Carlos Pena

As reported by The Daily Record, the deal to bring Mexican midfielder Carlos Pena to Rangers is not quite done and dusted yet despite the player undergoing a medical in Glasgow earlier this week.

What’s the story?

Pedro Caixinha has wasted little time in recruiting players for his Rangers revolution this summer, signing Ryan Jack and Bruno Alves, and appears close to adding even more talent to his midfield.

The Daily Record say the midfielder agreed a three-year deal with the club on Friday, also passing a medical that would clear him to sign for the Light Blues.

However, he still needs to get the all-clear from an independent panel next week that will decide next week whether he gets a work permit or not.

The 27-year-old, rated at £3m on Transfermarkt, has been capped 19 times by his country but has only featured twice over the last 12 months, meaning that he fell short of a gaining an automatic visa.

What will he add?

The Rangers midfield has often been accused of being lightweight over the last 12 months and Pena would certainly add a strong, physical presence in the middle of the park. That’s not say he is without flair, also holding the ability to score goals.

With current club Leon, where he is on loan, he formerly scored 12 goals in 31 matches to help them gain promotion to the Mexican top-flight.

That was enough to win him a multi-million pound move to Guadalajara, and Caixinha will be hoping he can tap into some of that potential if he eventually makes the move to Scotland.